CNN BREAKING NEWS

Man Armed with Knife Near White House in Custody

Aired December 6, 2001 - 10:23 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We also are now just getting word of another important story that may be breaking in Washington.

Let's go now to Kelly Wallace, who is at the White House, with word of an arrest there, Kelly. Is that what I'm hearing?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That is right, Leon. We learned of this situation. Apparently an individual around 7:00 this morning outside one of the gates here at the White House was acting suspiciously, according to a Secret Service official. So when Uniformed Secret Service officers approached, the individual continued to act strangely. The officers then sort of patted down the individual, and found he was in possession of what is described as a very large knife, maybe at least a foot long.

The individual then, Leon, then volunteered that he had more weapons in a car parked about two blocks from the White House. When officers went to that car, they found an SKS assault rifle, another rifle with scope, a bullet-proof vest, a kevlar helmet and a handgun. An official telling us at least two of the weapons were loaded.

Also, officers notice what they view as possibly suspicious materials inside the car. And so about three blocks near the White House closed down, while the Secret Service technical security team checked out the car. Of course that involves bomb-sniffing dogs detecting any explosives or any explosive materials in the car. The car was cleared, meaning it was cleared of anything of anything suspicious.

About two hours later, around 9:00 a.m. those streets were reopened.

Leon, we are told the individual is 26-year-old white man. He is currently in custody, being questioned by Secret Service officers. He could face a range of charges. We understand his car was registered to him and it had Idaho plates.

When asked, Leon, if this individual was making any threatening comments to President Bush, to any other White House officials, making any threatening comments at all this, official said that was unknown at this time.

Again, we know this individual in custody, being questioned, could face a series of charges, and one official I talked to Leon, said certainly any time you have an individual possessing this kind of weaponry near the White House, it as serious situation, but this individual saying Service Acting officials acting quickly, and the situation is under control at this time.

HARRIS: Thank you very much. Kelly Wallace, thank you very much. Kelly Wallace at this the White House with that breaking story, that arrest at the White House.

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